What is your favorite thing about breastfeeding?

[allisgood1]

I was thinking about this this morning as I'm halfway there with having dc3. My most favorite bit is when they are around 3 months +, come off (shortly after let down, milk spraying everywhere), just to smile at you melts my heart everytime even though we are both getting soaked in breast milk

Next..

I didn't bf for long, but in that short amount of time I enjoyed the closeness, just cradling my newborn baby knowing that my body had helped him to grow and was continuing to do so with my milk. Amazing stuff!

Unfortunately I stopped early due to a bad latch due to TT.

I always loved it, it's lovely and cuddly. No screaming baby waiting for you to mix stuff up. Doesn't cost you anything and sitting there feeding gives you the rest you need after childbirth. And not to forget you don't even have to leave your bed at night to feed.

Yes, smiles in the middle of the night. When they are ill and you can just carry on and they don't get dehydrated.

I didn't especially enjoy breastfeeding. It was just something I did, like changing a nappy or dressing DD. I found it easier than faffing around with bottles, sterilising, measuring, warming up etc. It is nature's ultimate fast food, but there wasn't anything to physically enjoy about it.

DD was a very slow feeder so I used the time to read or watch TV. Gazing adoringly at her for over an hour was just too boring.

I love how easy it is to comfort her, and how convenient it is. No faffing about with bottles and sterilising. Also it's amazing knowing that she is feeding from me and my body, with milk I've made. That all her weight gain is down to me

Bloody hard work at the start tho!

I'd say the comforting part, especially if they get hurt. But I would have happily stopped, if LO would take a bottle! It is still painful for me.

I love the closeness and the cuddles.

I also love when his eyes roll back into a milk coma.

Love how my DCs absolutely adored me whilst I breastfed. I was all they wanted.

DP used to get DD2 from her cot in the morning and try to cuddle her but she'd lunge over to me without hesitation!

Magic boob fixes everything.

Also the thing about keeping ill babies and toddlers hydrated. :)

The eating

Yes to the eating!
Also cuddles, closeness, easiness, cheap/free, being able to skive making breakfast/washing up/tidying etc because I need to feed the baby, being able to spontaneously stay out a couple of hours longer. And DD's smile which breaks the suction when I pull a funny face during feeding, or the way she tries to undo my bra cup, or holds my boob with her tiny hand. So many things, hard to really put them into words.
I think ultimately I love it because I'm good at it (DD is over 24lbs at 7 months) and DD enjoys it. That said I'm looking forward to it ending, it'll be nice not to leak on dp during sex anymore.

Those smiles are amazing! I love looking at him and knowing that I have helped him grow from the size of a poppy seed to nearly 18 lbs. I love the cuddles, comforting him, and the fact I'm the one who has this special role to fill. It was so hard to begin with but I'm so glad we got through the early struggles.

Love this thread

Another vote for the gorgeous smiles with a nipple still in mouth. I also love how he places his hand on my face whilst feeding and sometimes strokes my face. We both enjoy a giggle if milk squirts out in a random direction as well.

I stopped a few years ago but the one thing I loved was during the toddler tantrums and the kick off revving was starting. Bung them on the boob and the would do this growl nub nub into the boob while they processed whatever it was the pissed the off.

Always made me chuckle

Lovely thread

I did not particularly enjoy BFing, but did it four times.
I suppose I liked using my body for its intended purpose. And the eating. And the instant availability of silencer food for upset baby

I did not just breastfeed 4 times - I fed my 4 DSs with varying degrees of success

The way she pats my boob when she's waiting for letdown
Never having to get out of bed and go to the cold kitchen to make a bottle.
I get to put my feet up a lot. :)

By the end with DS1 I loved how i was giving him what he really wanted and needed. He stopped aged 2.1 years when I threw up whilst feeding him cos of morning sickness We were down to one feed a day, when I came in from work. That little moment of closeness was lovely after a day apart.

I gave birth to DS2 this morning and what I like about BF right now is i dont have to think about making bottles or whatever. I just put him on the boob and he feeds when he wants. Im not second guessing amounts etc

Congratulations sizzles!

The bottle feeding thing was a huge shock to me as I breastfed all of mine. I looked after one of my pals tiny babies once and the fact I just had to feed a bottle and do nothing else really did my head in. With breastfeeding I could feed them, feed myself and read a magazine all at the same time. Then the screaming in the night while heating up bottles and testing on the wrist.. it was a looong night that was and was knackered in the morning.

With mine it was wake up, change nappy, snuggle down in big bed, bung them on the boob and snooze. Didn't even have to get out of bed.

congrats sizzles

The cuddles. I loved it that I had such gorgeous cuddles and snuggles - I especially appreciated the re- bonding time when I had to go back to work in the daytime.

And sitting on my behind. Really looking forward to that this time (4 yo DTs, 27 weeks pregnant with DS3 )

A sneaky side glance up at me and a giggle with a nipple in his mouth.
The way he rests his hand on my chest while feeding and how he tickles my side with his other hand.
Those moments when his eyes are getting heavy and then he falls asleep.
Our closeness.
And how lucky I have been to be able to do it, pain-free, for this long. Thank you boobies!